Rainbow Bridge

ScotlandTheBrave

Thanks to Beryl for the picture

Bear was with us for 10 years and he will be sadly missed. Bear had a problem the other night with a piece of chicken that I gave him (swallows and doesn't chew). He went down, his eyes rolled back and he lost his urine. I did everything that I could think of, all inclusive of pounding on the little guy and finally got him breathing. Babied him for the rest of the night and very cautiously looked out the next morning to make sure that he was still moving, he was. I took him to the vet that day. My vet had had me put him on a diet. He had gone from 42# to 29#.That was too fast to lose so much, so she had me leave him overnight so that she might better see what was going on with him. She took a sample of blood from him, an had me rush it to the LAB to have the tests done as fast as they could get them. During that night, his kidneys shut down.

Bree has gone to watch over Bruce until we get there, and I am sure she will teach him a lot of 'Scotty tricks'. Bree was with us for 11 years and she is sadly missed. The 'dread cancer' came and 'let it's presence be known'... When it was diagnosed, we thought we might have months or even years left..
One week she was prancing around like a puppy... not even knowing she was sick--- "YUK, mom, why do I have to take those darn pills?"..
and darned if she couldn't eat all the meat, I thought it was hidden in and then spit it out... where I would later find it..
And then the next week, when we took her to the vet, we were told that she was blind. It was then that her life style started to degrade.
She would walk around a room and stand facing the corner/wall, wherever she ended up, just staring. Not seeing anything, most likely wondering what had happened to her and why was it always so dark.... I had to carry her outside to 'potty' and then back into the house where she would lay where ever I put her down... just to get up and do the 'around the wall trick again.. she quit eating and after four days of only drinking water...

it was time to go to the Vets office One more time, for Bree
We had made the decision not to keep her on pain medication or to
make her stay with us "For Us"... and it was time to say goodbye..

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When Tomorrow starts without me

And I'm not there to see,

The sun arise and find your eyes,

All filled with tears for me.

I wish you wouldn't cry so much,

And look so awfully blue;

While thinking of the many things,

We didn't get to do.

I know how much you love me,

As much as I love you;

And every time you think of me,

I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me,

Please try to understand;

An angel came and called my name,

And lead me to this land.

He said my place was ready

At Rainbow Bridge, above;

But said I would have to leave behind,

All those I dearly love.

I thought of all the yesterdays,

The good ones and the bad;

I remembered all the things we shared,

And all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,

I thought, for just awhile;

I'd say good by and kiss your face,

And maybe see you smile

But then I fully realized,

That this could never be;

That emptiness and memories,

Would take the place of me.

But as I walked through this lovely gate,

I felt so much at home;

As God looked down and smiled at me,

From His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity,

And all I've planned for you.

Today your life on earth is past,

But here it starts anew."

He said, "You have been so faithful,

So trusting and so true,

A better friend could not be found,

Though we looked the whole world through."

"Your life was full of joy and pain,

But now at last you're free;

So come on in, and greet your friends,

And share my life with me."

So when tomorrow starts without me,

Don't think we're far apart;

For every time you think of me,

I'm right there in your heart.
Author Unknown
Edited and adapted by Ginger McAfee

Bruce wasn't with us for a very long time, only 2 months, but long enough to be greatly missed. The bonding that happens was happening between us all. He had started being an individual. He had a name! He was born during the Winter time and hadn't even run through the grass yet! You are missed!!

THERE IS A BRIDGE CONNECTING HEAVEN AND EARTH.
IT IS CALLED THE RAINBOW BRIDGE BECAUSE OF ITS
MANY COLORS. JUST THIS SIDE OF THE RAINBOW
BRIDGE THERE IS A LAND OF MEADOWS, HILLS AND
VALLEYS WITH LUSH GREEN GRASS.

WHEN A BELOVED PET DIES, THE PET GOES TO THIS
PLACE. THERE IS ALWAYS FOOD AND WATER AND WARM
SPRING WEATHER. THE OLD AND FRAIL ANIMALS ARE
YOUNG AGAIN. THOSE WHO ARE MAIMED ARE MADE
WHOLE AGAIN. THEY PLAY ALL DAY WITH EACH OTHER.

THERE IS ONLY ONE THING MISSING. THEY ARE NOT
WITH THEIR SPECIAL PERSON WHO LOVED THEM ON
EARTH. SO EACH DAY THEY RUN AND PLAY UNTIL THE
DAY COMES WHEN ALL THOSE PETS YOU HAVE LOVED
SUDDENLY STOP PLAYING AND LOOK UP! THEIR NOSES
TWITCH! THEIR EARS ARE UP! THEIR EYES ARE
STARING! AND THEY SUDDENLY RUN FROM THE GROUP.

YOU HAVE BEEN SEEN, AND WHEN YOU AND YOUR
SPECIAL FRIENDS MEET, YOU TAKE THEM IN YOUR ARMS
AND EMBRACE. YOUR FACE IS KISSED AGAIN AND
AGAIN, AND YOU LOOK ONCE MORE INTO THE EYES OF
YOUR TRUSTING PETS.

THEN YOU CROSS
RAINBOW BRIDGE TOGETHER,
NEVER AGAIN TO BE SEPARATED.

Author Unknown

A Dog's Prayer

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then you must do what must be done,
For this, the last battle, can't be won.

You will be sad-- I understand,
Don't let your grief then stay your hand,
For this day, more than all the rest,
Your love and friendship stand the test.

We've had so many happy years,
What is to come can hold no fears,
You'd not want me to suffer, so
When the time comes, please let me go.

I know in time you too will see,
It is a kindness you do to me
Although my tail its last has waved
>From pain and suffering I've been saved.

Don't grieve that it should be you
Who has to decide this thing to do
We've been so close, we two these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.


Author Unknown

Don't Grieve to Long

Don't grieve too long for now I'm free
I'm following the path God set for me
I ran to Him when I heard His call
I wagged my tail and left it all.

I could not stay another day
To bark, to love, to romp or play
Games left unplayed must stay that way
I found such peace it made my day.

My parting has left you with a void
So fill it with your remembered joy
A friendship shared, your laugh, a kiss
Oh, yes, these things I too shall miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow
My life's been full, you've given so much
Your time, your love and gentle touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free.

Author unknown 


THE STAR by DOUG COULTER
   "Part of the blood that flows through my veins is Native American.
What I'm about to tell you was told to me many years ago by a wise old
lady. I believe I must share it with people who have lost their dog
because I know of the great pain they are going through. The following
will not work if it is a false gesture on your part. You must have loved
your dog when he was alive and upon his death you feel like your heart
has been ripped from your body. When a loved one passes they must take a
long and lonely journey. The following will tell you how to know if
their journey was a success.
     Go into the night , the first clear night in your area .Go to a
spot where there is no noise, a place you and your dog used to go. Close
your eyes and think of all the wonderful things that you and your dog
did together, talk to your dog as if he was right by your side; tears
will flow like a giant river---all at once you will feel a strange
sensation, it will feel as if your dog is sitting right by you. At this
point open your eyes and look to the sky. Look all over the sky but
mostly in the North-North East portion. All at once you will see a
blinking star, it will be the brightest and warmest one in the whole
sky, it will draw your attention to it. At that point close your eyes,
then open them again. If you see that star again you will know your dog
has had a successful journey. This star will stay in the same spot every
night. It will stay there until your grieving is over, then if will
disappear never to be seen by you again until you too have made a
successful journey. When you go to the bridge you will also put this
star into the sky. Look for the star, your dog is waiting to give you
the sign."
by Doug Coulter©
--


                                THE LAST BATTLE

                 If it should be that I grow frail and weak
                   And pain should keep me from my sleep,
                    Then will you do what must be done,
                For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

                       You will be sad I understand,
                  But don't let grief then stay your hand,
                    For on this day, more than the rest,
               Your love and friendship must stand the test.

                      We have had so many happy years,
                     You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
                  When the time comes, please, let me go.

                 Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
                      Only, stay with me till the end
                      And hold me firm and speak to me
                        Until my eyes no longer see.
                       I know in time you will agree
                       It is a kindness you do to me.

                    Although my tail its last has waved,
                 From pain and suffering I have been saved.
                      Don't grieve that it must be you
                    Who has to decide this thing to do;

               We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
                    Don't let your heart hold any tears.

                                 ---Unknown